ACoP 7 (revised) I 2015 I Design & Production AEA Design•280888

Health and Safety at Work Inspectorate

Social Security Department

P.O. Box 55

Philip Le Feuvre House

La Motte Street

St. Helier

Jersey JE4 8PE

Tel: 01534 447300

Fax: 01534 873791

E-mail: hsi@gov.je

Website: www.gov.je/hsi

Recreational DivingProjectsApproved Code of PracticeHealth & Safety at Work (Jersey) Law, 1989

ACoP 7Revised 2015

2

‘Recreational diving projects’

Approved Code of Practice ACoP 7

First published 2004

Second edition 2015

Contains public sector information published by the Health and

Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

1

Recreational Diving Projects

Approved Code of Practice

Notice of Approval

This Approved Code of Practice, entitled ‘Recreational diving

projects’ ACoP 7, has been approved by the States of Jersey

Minister for Social Security under Article 10 of the Health and

Safety at Work (Jersey) Law, 1989, (“the Law”).

The Code of Practice provides practical guidance for all

persons who have duties under Part 2 of the Law and are

involved with recreational diving projects.

This revised edition replaces ‘Recreational diving projects’

Approved Code of Practice ACoP 7,

which came into force on 1 July 2004.

ACoP 7revised

2015

Deputy Susie Pinel

Minister for Social Security

5 May 2015

2

3

Notice of Approval for recreational diving projects 1

Foreword 5

Interpretation 7

Clients and others 9

Diving contractors 11

Diving project plan and risk assessment 13

Dive teams and associated working practice 17

Diving plant 20

Maintenance of diving plant 22

Supervisors 24

Divers and persons who dive in a diving project 27

Medical checks 29

Glossary of terms and abbreviations 31

Further information 32

Contents

4

5

Foreword

Scuba-diving is a popular leisure activity, enjoyed by people of all

ages. It remains, however, a high hazard activity which requires proper

planning and appropriate management of the risks to be conducted

safely.

The recreational diving industry in Jersey varies in size and diversity,

both in terms of the type and scale of activities undertaken. It services

both locally based recreational divers who dive regularly in the waters

around the Island, and visitors who often only dive occasionally,

usually when on holiday and in more benign conditions.

This Approved Code of Practice, ‘Recreational diving projects’ (ACoP 7),

has been approved by the Minister for Social Security. It provides

practical guidance to persons who have duties under Part 2 of the

Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law, 1989, (the Law), and are

involved in recreational diving projects where at least one person

taking part is employed or self-employed, and the equipment and

techniques are confined to free swimming using SCUBA.

The Law requires you to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable,

the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected

by what you do or do not do. It applies to all work activities and

everyone at work has responsibilities under it, including employees

and the self-employed.

This ACoP covers both the instruction and guiding of people diving

for recreational purposes where at least one person taking part is

at work, for example as an instructor, and extends to include diving

projects taking place in swimming pools and in the coastal waters

around the Island. It does not apply to recreational diving projects

where no one is at work.

6

An ACoP has a special legal status. It provides practical advice on

how to comply with the general duties imposed by the Law. If you

follow the advice you will be doing enough to comply with the Law

in respect of those specific matters on which the Code gives advice.

You may use alternative methods to those set out in the Code in

order to comply with the Law, however, if you are prosecuted for a

breach of the Law, and it is proved that you did not follow the relevant

provisions of the Code, you will need to show that you have complied

with the Law in some other way or a court may find you at fault.

This revision of the 2004 edition of the ACoP is based on the UK

Health and Safety Executive ACoP entitled ‘Recreational diving

projects’, L105(second edition), published 2014. It simplifies some of

the information provided in the original ACoP and reflects changes

in technology and industry practice. Health and Safety Inspectors

seeking to secure compliance with the Law will refer to this ACoP as

illustrating the standards to be met.

Tammy FageDirector of Health and Safety

7

In this code, ‘Recreational diving projects’ (ACoP 7), unless the

context otherwise requires:

‘Diver’ means a person at work who dives.

‘At work’ means as an employee or as a self-employed person. The

phrase covers divers who dive as part of their duties as an employee

and divers who are in business on their own account during the time

that they devote themselves to work as a self-employed diver. Diving

does not have to be the main work activity of the employee or the

self-employed person.

A person ‘dives’ if he enters water and in order to survive in such an

environment he breaths in air or other gas at a pressure greater than

atmospheric pressure.

‘Diving project’ is the term used for the overall diving job - whether it

lasts two hours or two months. It means any activity made up of one or

more diving operations. A number of diving projects could take place

on one site at the same time. Each of these projects could be separate

from the others, and each could have a separate diving contractor in

charge. The diving project will finish when the diving contractor has

ensured that every diver has been safely recompressed.

‘Diving operations’ can be made up of either a number of dives or,

sometimes, a single dive. A diving operation should be that portion

of a diving project identified in the diving project plan which one

supervisor can safely supervise. One supervisor must be appointed

for each diving operation.

Diving operations in the context of this Code are likely to be individual

lessons led by an instructor or single dives led by a dive guide (this will

Interpretation

8

usually be the supervisor). The diving contractor and the supervisor

could be the same person. When deciding the size and structure of

the proposed diving operation, the diving contractor should take into

account factors such as the type of instruction or dive, the nature of

the lesson or the aim of the dive, the experience of the students or

divers and the dive site location. The diving contractor will also need

to be satisfied that they allocate themselves a manageable team.

All these points and others should be taken into account when

preparing the diving project plan. Supervisors should not participate

in a diving operation which they consider to be unsafe because

insufficient supervisors have been appointed or which they are not

competent to supervise.

The use of compression chambers within diving projects is covered

by this Code. However, those receiving hyperbaric treatment at a

hospital or other place are outside the scope of this document. This

is to avoid duplication of responsibilities when another authority is

involved in the medical treatment of a diver.

The term ‘person’ used to identify the diving contractor under this

Code means a person with legal identity. An individual would be a

person within the meaning of this term and so would a company.

9

There are a number of people whose activities can have an involvement

with or impact on the conduct of a diving project and who therefore

have responsibilities for ensuring that the Code is complied with

in relation to matters under their control. These people include the

owners of dive sites, the operators of vessels being used as part of the

diving project, and a client for whom the work is being carried out.

Dive site owners

Owners of a dive site should:

(a) highlight any known hazards or difficulties which could affect

the safety of the diving project, such as underwater

obstructions, water intakes or discharges, and possible

contamination;

(b) ensure that any equipment or activities under their control

do not affect the safety of the diving project.

Vessel operators

Operators of vessels used in a diving project should:

(a) ensure that any equipment under their control does not

adversely affect the safety of the diving project;

(b) keep the diving contractor and supervisor informed of any

changes in circumstances which may affect the safety of the

diving project;

(c) co-operate with the diving contractor and supervisor to

enable their obligations under the Code to be fulfilled.

Clients and others

10

Everyone who is involved in the planning and organisation of a diving

project has a responsibility to:

(a) take reasonable steps to ensure that any diving contractor

selected is capable of complying with the Code;

(b) provide sufficient detail of the content of the diving project to

allow it to be carried out safely;

(c) highlight any known hazards or difficulties which could affect

the safety of those engaged in the diving project, such as

underwater obstructions, water intakes or discharges, and

possible contamination;

(d) ensure that any equipment or activities under the control of

the client do not affect the safety of the diving project;

(e) provide adequate resources to enable the diving contractor

to perform their duties under the Code;

(f) co-operate with the diving contractor and supervisor to enable

the diving contractor’s obligations under the Code to be

fulfilled.

The duty under this Code also extends to diving contractors,

supervisors, divers, and to people indirectly involved in the diving

project such as dive site operators.

11

The Code requires that one person is identified as the diving contractor

for every diving project. The main duties of the Code are placed on

the diving contractor.

Often in the situations covered by this Code, the diving contractor will

be a self-employed instructor or dive guide. But in some situations, the

diving contractor could be the employer of instructors, for example,

where the diving contractor is the proprietor of a diving school or the

employer of the dive guide. Where such an employer has a legal duty

to act as the diving contractor, they could carry this out by instructing

a suitable person with expertise in diving matters to discharge some

of the specialist duties on their behalf, although the duty to appoint a

supervisor is personal to the diving contractor. The person instructed

to carry out the duties must be competent to perform them.

‘Competence’ means having a combination of training, knowledge

and experience which enables a person to do the job required in

a safe manner. Evidence of past experience in organising a diving

project in a safe and effective manner, and appropriate qualifications,

would be ways of demonstrating competence. The person selected

will also need the authority and resources effectively to discharge

those duties. The duties will remain with the employer, who should be

satisfied that the person selected will be able to perform the duties

on their behalf without risk to that person or the dive team.

There must only ever be one diving contractor for any diving project.

This means that where a group of self-employed people are working

together, they should jointly agree and nominate, in writing, one of

them to accept the role and responsibilities of the diving contractor.

This person must be competent to perform the duties of the diving

contractor. This appointment must be recorded in writing.

Diving contractors

12

The diving contractor has overall responsibility for the safety of the

diving project. This includes ensuring that:

(a) a suitable risk assessment and diving project plan have been

prepared which identify the number of supervisors, divers

and equipment needed (see the section ‘Diving project plan

and risk assessment’);

(b) the size and abilities of the dive team are sufficient to enable

the diving project to be carried out safely (see the section

‘Dive teams and associated working practice’);

(c) the place from which the diving is to be carried out is suitable

and safe;

(d) supervisors are appointed in writing (this must be done by

the diving contractor) for the diving operation which they

are to supervise and are supplied with copies of their formal

appointment and the part of the diving project plan relevant

to their operation;

(e) a sufficient number of suitably qualified personnel are used

and that they are competent to undertake the tasks assigned

to them. Members of the team who are not at work and who

are allocated duties under the Code must be competent to

perform them (see the sections ‘Supervisors’ and ‘Divers and

persons who dive in a diving project’);

(f) the team is medically fit to dive (see the section ‘Medical

checks’);

(g) the supervisor and dive team are fully briefed on the project

and aware of the contents of the diving project plan;

(h) suitable plant and equipment are provided and are properly

maintained (see sections ‘Diving plant’ and ‘Maintenance of

diving plant’);

(i) adequate arrangements exist for emergencies, including first

aid and medical treatment (see the section ‘Dive teams and

associated working practice’);

(j) an up-to-date record is kept for each diving operation;

(k) all other relevant sections of the Code are complied with.

13

The diving project plan

The diving contractor is responsible for ensuring that before the start

of the diving project a suitable risk assessment and diving project

plan have been prepared. The diving contractor may take on the task

of preparing the diving project plan or ask the supervisor to prepare

one. In any event, the diving contractor must check that a diving

project plan has been prepared and completed in advance for each

diving project and is suitable and sufficient for each diving project

under their responsibility.

The diving project plan may refer to information from standard manuals

and recommendations for safe diving made by the appropriate

recreational diving organisation as well as the diving contractor’s

own generic diving rules. A copy of any part of the diving project

plan relevant to their operation should be provided to the supervisor.

This standard information, applicable to each of the diving contractor’s

projects, should be supplemented with a site-specific risk assessment,

detailing any special precautions or procedures necessary to reduce

the risk and listing specific emergency actions and contacts. A

reconnaissance of the site is the best way to make the site-specific

plan and to assess the risks. The diving project plan should include

the quickest means of communicating with the emergency services,

and contact arrangements for the emergency services, doctor

and decompression illness specialist medical advice. Both the risk

assessment and the diving project plan should be documented.

The diving project plan should specifically identify how the diving project

is broken down into individual operations which can safely be supervised

by one person. When making this decision the diving contractor should

take into account the size and nature of the diving project.

Diving project plan and risk assessment

14

The diving contractor should check that the divers are competent to

dive to the depth required by the diving project plan.

Risk assessment

For divers who instruct others, the objective may be to achieve a

specified task at a fixed location, for example a swimming pool.

However, more commonly the objective is actually to perform the

dive or training drill and, within given parameters, the precise location

is unimportant.

In these circumstances the supervisor is normally responsible for

confirming that the chosen dive site is suitable, although the diving

contractor has the overall responsibility to ensure that the diving

project is planned, managed and conducted in a manner which

protects everyone taking part. The diving contractor should therefore

ensure that a risk assessment has been done. The following factors

should be taken into account in assessing the dive site:

(a) water conditions, including wave motion, movement, depth,

temperature, visibility, weather, daylight and bottom type;

(b) pollution of the water or atmosphere;

(c) access to and from the water/boat/platform;

(d) the type of equipment and breathing mixture being used;

(e) the depth and planned duration;

(f) the task or training drill to be performed and the experience

level of those participating, including those who are not at

work;

(g) emergency procedures, including the location and proximity

to emergency facilities and medical expertise.

This is not a complete list of all hazards and measures needed to

control risks. An appraisal of the hazards at a specific dive site will

identify the full extent of the safeguards needed to protect the safety

of the dive team.

15

As a matter of safe working practice, the supervisor should keep the

site-specific risk assessment under review to ensure that it is adequate

and does not need to be revised.

A risk assessment made under this Code will cover in part the

obligation made under Part 2 of the Law to make an assessment.

There will be no need to repeat those aspects of the assessment, so

long as they remain valid, in any other assessment that the diving

contractor carries out. However, the diving contractor will need to

ensure that all significant risks not covered by the diving project

assessment (including risks to members of the public arising from

the diving project/diving activities) are also taken into account.

Technical diving

Technical diving is a discipline where special methods and equipment

are used to improve diver safety and performance, enabling the user

to conduct dives in environments and perform tasks beyond the

scope of traditional recreational diving techniques.

Technical diving uses particular SCUBA-diving techniques which are

considered to be high hazard activities and which require additional

precautions to be taken to minimise the risk so far as is reasonably

practicable. People at work conducting technical diving operations

for recreational divers should meet the requirements of their

recognised recreational diving organisations under whose direction

they conduct their activity. Provided such requirements are met,

it is recognised that on balance the additional risk involved will be

reasonably controlled and enough safety measures will be provided

for those members of the public who decide to participate in these

activities.

Decompression procedures

Decompression procedures (including the use of a decompression

computer) should be appropriate for the type of diving technique

undertaken and their use included in the diving project plan.

16

All decompression procedures should be designed to take into

account the risks of a particular type of dive and should include the

various rules and procedures needed in order to reduce the risk of

decompression illness.

17

Dive teams

The diving contractor should identify the minimum size of team for a

safe diving operation based on the requirements of the risk assessment

and diving project plan. The team should be of a sufficient size to

comply with the risk assessment and the diving project plan and to

enable the diving operation to be completed safely. For recreational

diving instruction this needs to take into account the number of

‘trainees’ and appropriate instructor-to-student ratios in the water.

The decision on instructor-to-student ratios should be linked

back to the findings of the risk assessment and should not exceed

the recommended levels of the appropriate recreational diving

organisation. Where qualified people are being guided or are under

instruction, the appropriate instructor-to-student ratio depends upon

the site conditions and the nature of any exercise being undertaken.

The absolute minimum team size for a dive using recreational

techniques is three, one person on the surface and two in the water.

The acceptability of this number must be based on the risk assessment

and diving project plan. One of these three people should be the

supervisor. The supervisor is normally the most experienced and well-

qualified diver in the team and in a team of three will normally be

leading the dive underwater.

The two divers in the water should be capable of rendering assistance

to each other in the event of an emergency under water. Under specific

circumstances, one of these divers can be a student undergoing

training, provided that they have been trained in rescue techniques,

have been assessed as competent to carry out rescue techniques and

have reached the minimum competency level required for this task

set out by the appropriate recreational diving organisation.

Dive teams and associated working practice

18

The person on the surface does not have to be someone able to

dive but they should be familiar with the diving project plan and the

arrangements for obtaining assistance in the event of an emergency.

All the people who form part of the dive team must be competent to

discharge the duties they hold. The UK Health and Safety Executive

approves certain qualifications for recreational diving which indicate

that a minimum level of competence has been assessed. Qualifications

alone do not always demonstrate fitness to undertake a task. The

diving contractor has a duty to engage competent people, which may

require that the dive team’s competence is verified or demonstrated.

The supervisor should decide upon a common system of signals to

be used between all personnel involved in the operation, and ensure

that everyone is familiar with this system. This should be done before

the start of the diving operation for which they are responsible, and

recorded in the diving project plan.

Pools and tanks

In certain circumstances, when diving in pools and tanks, the minimum

team size can be two and there is no requirement for a person on the

surface. One of the two must be the supervisor. However, the diving

project and risk assessment must identify the circumstances where it

will be safe to have a team of two and set out the measures needed

to ensure that the operation takes place without risk to themselves or

those taking part.

The second person in the team should be immediately available, on

the surface or in the water, in a position to render assistance. This

second person, under specific circumstances, can be a student

undergoing training. They should be familiar with the diving project

plan and the arrangements for emergencies. They should also be

trained in rescue techniques and have been assessed as competent

to carry them out and should be able to assist in an emergency. The

second person should meet the minimum competency level required

by the appropriate recreational diving organisation.

19

First-aid training and competencies

The diving contractor is responsible for ensuring that enough people

in the diving project are trained and competent in first-aid. The risk

assessment should identify the first-aid equipment required on site

and the number of qualified personnel needed to use it.

The risk assessment should take into account the type of diving taking

place, the size of the team and the distance of the dive site from the

emergency services. It is sensible to have more than one person in the

team qualified in first-aid in case that person becomes injured. Those

who are qualified should not hold other important duties which could

conflict with the need to administer first-aid in an emergency.

Those identified in the dive team as being qualified to give first-aid

should be able to:

(a) recognise symptoms of decompression illness and provide

appropriate first-aid treatment prior to and during transfer to

a decompression facility;

(b) administer oxygen to an unconscious patient;

(c) perform resuscitation using the techniques of artificial

ventilation (AV) and external cardiac compression (ECC);

(d) recognise the symptoms of shock and provide appropriate

first-aid treatment;

(e) administer appropriate first-aid treatment for burns, bleeding

and broken bones.

There are situations where some members of the dive team should

have additional training in first-aid. The need for additional training

may arise where remoteness from local emergency medical services

means there is a need to maintain life until the emergency medical

services are able to assume responsibility; or where the diver requiring

first-aid is inside a compression chamber and medical assistance

cannot be provided by normal emergency medical services.

20

The equipment necessary to perform the dive safely and without risk

to health depends on the type and location of the dive and should be

set out in the diving project plan.

For normal open water diving activities the diver should be provided

with a sufficient supply of pure breathing gas, adequate exposure

protection and a means of controlling/adjusting buoyancy. The

breathing gas will normally be air but could also be a gas mixture or

pure oxygen for decompression. Breathing gases should comply with

the appropriate National, European or International standards.

Minimum equipment to be provided for each diver should be in

accordance with the requirements of the appropriate recreational

diving organisation and includes:

(a) breathing gas cylinder(s), cylinder valve(s) and manifold

(if required);

(b) carrying frame (backpack or harness);

(c) demand regulator (pressure reducer (first stage) and demand

valve (second stage));

(d) mouthpiece assembly and a half mask, or full face mask, or

diving helmet;

(e) fins;

(f) at least one of the following safety devices: pressure gauge;

reserve valve; or active warning device;

(g) appropriate alternative breathing gas source/secondary life

support system with adequate capacity to allow the diver to

reach a place of safety;

(h) submersible depth gauge;

Diving plant

21

(i) submersible timing device;

(j) underwater compass;

(k) suitable cutting tool;

(l) buoyancy control device (BCD);

(m) quick-release weight belt or other means of providing positive

buoyancy in an emergency;

(n) adequate exposure protection (wet suit or dry suit) appropriate

for local diving conditions.

Some of these items may not be needed when diving in a swimming

pool or tank. The diving project plan will need to specify what is

appropriate.

Where voice communications are used, the equipment should enable

each diver to communicate with the supervisor, and when working as

a buddy pair, for each diver to communicate with each other.

Dealing with emergencies

For each diving project the risk assessment should include a suitable

casualty evacuation plan. This should include the emergency

recovery of a casualty from the water and their transportation to a

chamber or specialist treatment centre. The details of the emergency

arrangements should be recorded in the diving project plan. The

initial stages of these arrangements should be tested periodically in

order to ensure that they are effective.

A suitable first-aid kit and oxygen administration set should be

provided at the site of the dive. Oxygen should be immediately

available at all locations covered by this Code, including those where

there is a compression chamber. Sufficient gas should be provided

for the duration of a transfer of a diver to a compression chamber,

hospital or other place. It should be provided by a tight-fitting mask

or by a mouthpiece with a nose clip.

22

Diving plant and equipment is used under extreme conditions,

including frequent immersion in salt water. It therefore requires

regular inspection, maintenance and testing to ensure that it is fit for

use, and not damaged or suffering from deterioration.

In order to ensure that the equipment is maintained, the diving

contractor should have a written scheme of equipment maintenance

and inspection. All plant and equipment should be checked by a

competent person immediately before use and this check entered in

the diving operation record.

The equipment maintenance scheme should be based upon the

manufacturers’ recommendations and be in accordance with

appropriate National, European or International standards.

Gas cylinders should be subjected to periodic internal visual inspection

and hydrostatic testing in accordance with the appropriate National,

European or International standards.

All maintenance should be carried out by a competent person. Written

inspection and maintenance records should be kept.

The diving contractor should ask divers using their own diving

equipment to confirm that it has been serviced in accordance with

the appropriate equipment supplier’s service schedule and that all

the cylinders have been tested for fitness-for-use in order to meet

their requirements under the Law. Prior to the dive, this should be

confirmed to the supervisor and recorded in the diving operation

record for their operation.

The diving contractor should also ensure that, before the start of the

diving operation, divers will be asked to carry out a pre-dive visual

Maintenance of diving plant

23

inspection and check of their equipment to ensure that it is in a

serviceable condition and working correctly.

Where breathing and similar equipment is likely to be shared,

appropriate disinfection procedures should be used.

24

Supervisor’s appointment

A supervisor must be appointed in writing by the diving contractor.

Normally, given the smaller size and shorter duration of typical diving

projects using recreational diving techniques, one supervisor should be

sufficient. However, if a diving project is complex or taking place over

such an area or time-scale that its operation cannot be safely supervised

by one supervisor, then the project should be divided up and further

supervisors should be appointed for specific operations. Enough

supervisors must be appointed to cover the entire diving project.

Written appointments should clearly define the times and areas of

control. The supervisor must have immediate overriding control of all

safety aspects for the diving operation for which they are appointed.

During the period of appointment the supervisor should not leave the

dive site or dive without formally handing over to another supervisor.

The hand-over should be entered in the diving operation record.

Supervisor’s competency

In order to be appointed as a supervisor the individual concerned

should hold an appropriate qualification from their recreational

diving organisation which indicates that they are qualified in dive

leadership and organisation, rescue management and the recognition

and treatment of diving-related injuries.

Before appointing a supervisor the diving contractor should ensure that,

in addition to possession of the appropriate qualification, the individual

concerned has relevant previous experience and can be considered

competent to supervise the specific diving operation to be undertaken.

Supervisors

25

Supervisor’s responsibility

The supervisor has legal responsibility for the safety of the diving

operation they are supervising and should be on site, in direct control

of the diving operation taking place. This includes confirming that:

(a) the proposed dive site and the water and weather conditions

are suitable;

(b) the risk assessment is still valid for the circumstances on the

day of the dive;

(c) all relevant authorities are aware that a diving operation is in

progress, and all the necessary permits and permissions have

been obtained;

(d) the equipment provided is appropriate, adequate and has

been checked by a competent person prior to use and

recorded in the diving operation record;

(e) the personnel they are supervising are qualified and competent

to perform the tasks required of them and that as far as the

supervisor is able to ascertain, they are fit to undertake the

task that they are assigned;

(f) the diving project plan and arrangements for dealing with

foreseeable emergencies are clearly understood by all those

engaged in the diving operation. This would normally be

ensured by a pre-dive briefing session with all those involved;

(g) proper records of the diving operation are maintained. As

a minimum this would include a description of the dive, the

names of those taking part and their dive qualifications, the

date, time and location, maximum depth attained by each

diver and their bottom time or dive time, the decompression

schedule being used and a record that the equipment has

been checked prior to the dive.

Supervisor diving with the team

Recreational dive instructors and dive guides are permitted to dive

as supervisors with their team in any location. The risk assessment

26

and diving project plan should take this into account and identify the

measures needed to ensure the safety of the operation, especially the

assignment of a dedicated person on the surface.

Directions

As the person in charge, the supervisor may give reasonable

instructions to any person taking part in the diving operation. This

includes students under instruction or those being guided.

27

Competence

Divers covered by this Code should be competent to dive with a buddy

who should also be competent for the conditions likely to be encountered

in open water using recreational diving equipment. They should:

(a) have a good understanding of diving physics and physiology

and decompression;

(b) be able to recognise the signs and symptoms of diving-related

injuries in themselves and others, initiate appropriate treatment

and carry out a diver rescue, including the performance of

resuscitation techniques;

(c) be able to initiate appropriate actions in the event of an

emergency;

(d) be competent to operate any special equipment being used.

Qualifications

All divers at work must hold an approved diving qualification suitable

for the work they intend to do. A list of current approved qualifications

is available on the HSE diving website: www.hse.gov.uk/diving

Additional competences and qualifications are required for some tasks.

All instructors should have an appropriate instructor qualification.

In order to teach diving using mixed gases or rebreathers, an

appropriate instructor qualification in that technique is needed. Diving

using rebreathers requires not only a qualification in the general

understanding of the dive technique but an additional qualification in

the specific type of rebreather endorsed by the manufacturer.

Divers and persons who dive in a diving project

28

Students under instruction or those being guided have a responsibility

to co-operate with the supervisor and to follow any reasonable

directions and instructions that the supervisor gives.

All the dive team should thoroughly familiarise themselves with the

equipment used in the diving operation. This should be done before

the operation commences. This routine safety check should also be

carried out by any students diving with the team.

Diving logs should include as a minimum the particulars recommended

by the appropriate recreational diving organisation’s standards

manual. The logs should be accurate and reflect the information

contained in the diving operation record.

29

Fitness

Any person who dives whose medical fitness may be in doubt for any

reason, for example fatigue, minor injury, recent medical treatment

or taking any medication, must inform their supervisor. Even a minor

illness, such as the common cold or a dental problem, can have serious

effects on a diver under pressure, and should be reported to the

supervisor before the start of a dive. Medications routinely taken may

have significant side effects in hyperbaric environments. Supervisors

should seek guidance from the diving contractor or the company’s

medical adviser if there is doubt about that person’s fitness to dive.

Medicals

All divers at work must have a valid certificate of medical fitness to

dive. The certificate of medical fitness to dive is a statement of the

diver’s fitness to perform work under water, and is valid for as long as

the doctor certifies, up to a maximum of 12 months.

Where an annual medical examination is carried out less than a month

before the expiry of the current medical certificate to dive, the start

of the new certificate may begin from the expiry date of the current

certificate.

The medical examination and assessment looks at the diver’s

overall fitness to dive. This includes the main systems of the body

- cardiovascular system, respiratory system and central nervous

system - as well as the ears, nose and throat, vision, dentition, and

the person’s capacity for exercise.

Medical checks

30

The UK Health and Safety Executive approves doctors to carry out

diving medical examinations. Doctors are selected for approval

based on their training in underwater medicine and their knowledge

of diving. This approval is limited in duration, usually for one or two

years.

31

Buddy

A buddy is the term given to a dive partner who in an emergency

situation would be available to provide assistance to the other diver.

Competence

Competence means having a combination of training, knowledge and

experience which enables a person to do the job required in a safe

manner.

Hazard

A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm. This may

include water, environmental factors, plant, and methods of diving

and other aspects of work organisation.

Risk

A risk is the possibility that someone will be harmed by an identified

hazard. The extent of the risk includes the numbers of people who

might be affected by the risk.

AV

Artificial ventilation.

BCD

Buoyancy control device.

DCI

Decompression illness.

ECC

External cardiac compression.

HSE

Health and Safety Executive.

SCUBA

Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.

Glossary of terms and abbreviations

32

Further information on the application of this ACoP, or advice on the

guidance set out in this publication, may be obtained by contacting

the States of Jersey Health and Safety at Work Inspectorate, Social

Security Department, PO Box 55, Philip Le Feuvre House, La Motte

Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PE.

Telephone: (01534) 447300

Facsimile: (01534) 873791

Email: hsi@gov.je

This publication is available at www.gov.je/hsi

The legal requirements set out under Part 2 of the HSW Law, can be

viewed on the Jersey Legal Information Board website: www.jerseylaw.je

Guidance to the HSW Law is available on the Health and Safety at

Work website: www.gov.je/hsi

Further information

ACoP 7 (revised) I 2015 I Design & Production AEA Design•280888

Health and Safety at Work Inspectorate

Social Security Department

P.O. Box 55

Philip Le Feuvre House

La Motte Street

St. Helier

Jersey JE4 8PE

Tel: 01534 447300

Fax: 01534 873791

E-mail: hsi@gov.je

Website: www.gov.je/hsi

Recreational DivingProjectsApproved Code of PracticeHealth & Safety at Work (Jersey) Law, 1989

ACoP 7Revised 2015